Word of the Day
Word of the day
talisman
noun
an object engraved with figures or characters and worn as an amulet or charm
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Why Dictionary.com chose talisman
More about talisman
- First recorded in 1630–40.
- From Arabic ṭilasm, meaning “a seal or talisman;” ultimately from Greek télesma, meaning “payment.”
EXAMPLES OF TALISMAN
- The most valuable find at the excavation site was the talisman in three different languages.
- He kept the talisman in his wallet, a gift from his grandfather before graduation.
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Why Dictionary.com chose verboten
More about verboten
- First recorded in 1910–15 in English.
- Borrowed from German verboten, which, like the word forbidden, comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning “to forbid or prohibit.”
EXAMPLES OF VERBOTEN
- They kept their gloves on while in the archive, as direct contact with the fossils was considered verboten.
- I like to keep a clean house, so glitter is strictly verboten in here.
vigilante
noun
a person who takes the law into their own hands
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Why Dictionary.com chose vigilante
More about vigilante
- First recorded in 1825–35.
- From Spanish vigilante, meaning “watchman.”
- Related to vigilance and vigil, from the Latin root vigil, meaning “awake or alert.”
EXAMPLES OF VIGILANTE
- A local vigilante confronted the suspects after gathering evidence on her own.
- Some considered Sir Cadwalader to be a misguided vigilante, while others saw him as a hero.
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